Merrin looked at him incredulously, her own curiousity likewise piqued by this question. "It's - it's not tyranny," she began slowly, tucking her booted feet up underneath her where she sat. "We think of it as a blessing to have them protecting us, watching over us. Surely in return it is not unreasonable to follow what few rules they devise?" she stopped for a moment, visibly perplexed. "Though - I am very young," she added with a tinge of uncertainty, "and I am certain someone else could explain to you far better than I."

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Kendath glanced at her askance, for she looked no more than ten years younger than he. He mused over her answer, inwardly comparing her to himself at that age. He'd been far more cynical, far less dependent upon the divine.

Indeed, he couldn't think of a time when he hadn't looked upon the world with impassive distrust.

"Do you not desire change at all? Power over your enemies?"

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Merrin almost laughed, looking at him even more incredulously than before. "Have you never thought that sometimes change is not a good change? I would far prefer that we are all at peace than that one group of us must submit to the will of the other." She stopped, almost as though she had meant to say more, and looked at him intently, with a confused expression. "But I repeat my earlier question - why do you wish to know?"

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"'Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer,'" Kendath recited an old Meiltha proverb, not bothering to mention that hadn't been the reason at all. He lounged against the stone wall and idly began twirling a dagger in his hand.

"But if pleasant conversation bores you, very well. Tell me this... how many Renegades are there?"

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"As if I'm going to tell you," replied Merrin, now with a touch of disgust - though her eye did rest for a moment on the dagger. "Do you honestly think I would give away my friends - nay, they're my family - in the blink of an eye?" She hesitated, and then added, "If that is what power means to you, again I wish to have no part in it."

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"Has anyone ever mentioned to you that the Meiltha have a formidable arsenal of torture techniques? I don't take considerable pleasure in the sport, but I'm certain my dragon shall gladly oblige..." He paused, then transferred his dagger twirling to his other hand with the words, "But perhaps your head will make a pretty ransome regardless."

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"Use it then," snapped Merrin, her temper rising to control her fear as she slipped off the stone seat to face him. "I would rather die than betray them!" She transferred her gaze to the stone floor, and swallowed before looking back at him. "I am prepared to deal with whatever you wish to do - and I await the arrival of my dragon; he is not going to abandon me here."

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Evlyn was taken aback by kendreths apart trust after thier outburst. She knew she would have waited for much longer before she would have trusted anyone else. "Well what dose it say?" interuppted Jemx
"Alright, let me settle down." She walked down a corridor to a small chamber and stettled down on some cushions to read

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Made by Lembas

"I'd like to see your dragon get past a mountain wall," Kendath retorted, more savagely than he'd intended. "If your gods protect you so, then why do you remain here?" Angrily he whipped around and stalked out of the small chamber, pressing a lever as he did so. An iron portcullis lowered itself over the entrace, sealing Merrin inside.

Once out of view, he stopped and leaned against a stalagmite to catch his breath. He was more angry with himself than Merrin - he'd never lost his temper in years. Yet the young woman's pure naivete, her defiant nobility more than a little unnerved him. He closed his eyes... and remembered...

Fire. Fire and ash and fear. Trapped outside the burning temple. How old was he then? Eleven? Ten? Forced to watch, helpless, as the hungry flames devoured the High Priest.

The High Priest, who'd put so much faith in the gods.

The High Priest, his father.

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((Ah! I've no clue where we are... What is happening to my charries?!))

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

((I think you're with Wyvern trying to find Merrin))

Merrin, alone now, first flew to the barred door and futilely tested the sturdy metal, though she had not at all expected to find a weakness. She wound her fingers around the bars and sank to the floor, feeling somehow relieved and afraid at the same time - if only Wyvern would come!

Slowly letting go, Merrin wrapped her arms around her knees. "Maybe my gods have a purpose for me that can only be fulfilled here," she said softly, though Kendath was gone. "Maybe I need to trust them."

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((Ok, thanks! I'll come up with something or another in a bit...))

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

Evlyn finished reading the scrolls and looked up. Jemx was curled up in a courner, billows of smoke flowing around his head spikes. She stood up, putting the scrolls carefully in a bag she carried at her side and left the chamber, she walked slowly pondering what she had read back towards Merrins cell.

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Made by Lembas

[ignore]

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Merrin glanced up, hearing footsteps, and tucked her feet under her where she sat, wondering if it was Kendath coming back.

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((errrrr ok we all posted at the same time i think, i'v left the chamber and am comeing to vist Merrin, its only Jemx asleep in thier now))

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Made by Lembas